Different from other food documentaries, A String of Life focuses on the barbecue stalls in the streets and records cheap street snacks. After the film was broadcast, it was recognized as "China version of Midnight Food Store" and "Barbecue version of China on the tip of the tongue" by a large number of foodies. Xiaoer roasted Liangshan pork in Xichang, Masi roasted beef skewers in Zhaotong, Yunnan, roasted whole sheep in Abudu, Yuli County, Xinjiang, roasted oysters in Sanjiang Village, Zhanjiang, roasted tofu rolls of Jinzhou ferroalloy, father-son roasted side dishes in Changsha open-air barbecue stall, baked potatoes in charcoal cans from Jilin Changchun Qianfeng Corporation, baked tofu by Lao Li's father and daughter in Jianshui, Yunnan, secret eggplant made by girl eggplant sister after 1990s in Yichang, Hubei, and Song roasted sea in Yantai, Shandong. The steamed stuffed bun roasted sheep's hoof in Yinchuan, Ningxia, the raw roast chicken egg barbecued by the old lady in Harbin ... Even the roasted silkworm chrysalis in the northeast, the roasted pig's eye in Baise, Guangxi, the roasted brain flower in Chongqing, the roasted mutton balls and the oily kidney in Xuzhou, etc., all exude attractive fragrance through the screen. The screen is full of children crying in Hunan, children crying in Shanxi, children crying in Sichuan, children crying in Guangdong, children crying in Shanghai ..... Children from all over the country drool in front of the screen, and tears in the West Lake fall because they can't eat them.
But this is not so much a food documentary as a humanistic documentary about the ordinary life of ordinary people. From the film title "A String of Life", we can get a glimpse of the director's real intention-kebabs are only the entry point for recording and transmitting information, and "life" is the spiritual core of the film. Barbecue is tempting, but the fireworks behind it are even more touching.
Let's take a look at those touching little clips in the film first.
Speaking of the value of barbecue, Lao Wang, the owner of Xuzhou "Family Barbecue", mentioned a little thing about 18 years ago.
Life experiences often make us feel depressed and disappointed. Want to find a place to vent their unhappiness, want to speak loudly, eat meat and drink freely, and the barbecue stalls on the roadside at night have become people's spiritual harbor, healing their broken hearts. This kind of fireworks brings a little light and warmth to the life of a bad heart.
About the secret of barbecue, old Wang Man Li Yang said this:
Old people's experience on barbecue-"heart for heart, heart for heart". Barbecue is like this, isn't it the same in all aspects of dealing with people? The old man has experienced ups and downs all his life, and now he has a thorough understanding of barbecue and life.
Sister eggplant, who roasted eggplant in Yichang Old Street, became attached to the barbecue and entered the marriage hall with brother Qin, who roasted oysters. Nowadays, due to the planning of the street, the business of the couple is becoming more and more difficult, while Sister Eggplant keeps an optimistic attitude.
Looking at her husband, Brother Qin, who is depressed because of stress, Sister Eggplant always has a way.
At two o'clock in the morning, the song ended, and the young couple can finally eat a bowl of red oil noodles that can make them cry in the rain. The camera gradually turned to the night. In the dark, Brother Tan said to Sister Eggplant, "Don't eat such spicy food, because your eyes are too red." Sister eggplant said with a strong dialect accent, "It doesn't matter, the barbecue has been baked for a long time and it is smoky." As long as you don't barbecue for a few days, it won't be so red. "
What impressed me most in the whole film was the eggplant girl. Here you can see the simplest and ordinary fireworks love, without mentioning the word "love", but you can clearly feel it through your eyes and actions and through the most simple language. You can also see the optimism of ordinary people in the face of life pressure, which will make your eyes red inadvertently.
Duan Ge, a frequent visitor and musician of Sister Eggplant, said, "Many delicious foods in Yichang have disappeared. Every time we come here, we feel warmer when we see Sister Eggplant still here, just like our musicians. I feel different after listening to the same song for a long time. But if this place no longer exists in ten years, the eggplant girl will become a symbol and become a symbol of some people's memory. "
Here, you can also see the changes in the city, people's powerlessness, reluctance and attachment under the changes, and the fetters between people, even if they are just strangers to barbecue stall owners and diners.
Just like the movie said, maybe you don't remember the barbecue stalls you used to eat, maybe your city is undergoing great changes, but after many years, what you still remember is the familiar taste and the people who accompanied you to barbecue.
Shang Laosan, who set up a barbecue stall at the entrance of Yangzhou Middle School 13, witnessed the youth of Yangzhong students. They are here, falling in love, copying homework and fighting. After more than ten years, they have reached middle age and still can't forget the taste of the third home. The third home has become a place for these young students to recall their past and youth.
During the rebellious period, Lao San served as their off-campus counselor, accompanying the growth of students in Yangzhong school. After more than ten years, Lao San still clearly remembers their names and nicknames.
Memories of youth, where there are students in Yangzhong, are not memories of youth, where there are thousands of audiences in Qian Qian? I can't help but think of the food street at the school gate, greasy egg cakes, spicy Hunan fried powder, crispy Beijing roast duck, classmates who ate mala Tang together, and the lovely class teacher who came back to chat with us after drinking some wine. After graduation, you eat alone and watch movies alone. Few people argue with you seriously. Countless pictures danced in my mind, and I almost cried.
At the end of each episode, the director will tell the protagonist's recent situation with several narrators and a few simple shots. This is the most touching place in every episode. In a few words, the taste of life is all in it.
"The second brother opened a branch on the other side of Aerospace Middle Road, which is managed by Yisow. From then on, the two can only meet at three in the morning. "
"A friend helped Abu Dhabi open an online shop, and the express delivery made his roast whole sheep go further."
"Ma Si basically withdrew from the barbecue industry and gloriously joined the ranks of seeing grandchildren."
"A Ping's oysters are more than two pieces in three years and two years, which are basically earned at a loss. But the villagers like the taste here and miss it, so A Ping will continue to open the "old place" with her younger brother San Mao.
"After the death of the lover who accompanied her all her life, Sister Ping did not go out of business, and she could not give up this violent man and woman, which made Sister Ping rare and lonely."
"It's the season of harvesting silkworm chrysalis again. Mrding estimates that in a few days, Xiaojun will go up the mountain with good wine. "
"Small skull old shop is closed now. Brother Liu went to "Gaolaozhuang" when he had nothing to do, pointing out the business of his cousin. "
"Today, Lao Wang's' home' is still a spiritual harbor for nocturnal people to seek comfort, and Lao Wang is still fighting bloody battles on the road of dark cooking."
"At the same time, the silent standard elder brother also opened a chat with Li Jie. “
"Iron hook Lao Zhao is still cleaning today's battlefield in the kitchen."
"The father and son in Changsha are afraid of staying up all night."
"In addition to Xiao Ceng, barbecue madman Zhao Linyou has a new apprentice. Look at the pig's nose tendon on the fire, his youngest son, like a curious baby. "
"There is no soup to dry sea sausages on charcoal fire, and the barbecue is also inseparable from the fun of singing. If you guess the name of the song, a song is more willing to get up early for you. "
"At the Li San Bridge at night, the fire at home is ready. With like-minded people, you are not afraid to drink too much. "
"Lao Meng devoted himself to the grilled crayfish. The government is still the taste bud of a few people. Lao Meng was very confident in his honey juice and had to go back to the kitchen to continue his big move. "
"Brother Baozi has been working hard in Huaiyuan market for most of his life and is busy changing positions, but those old flavors will continue to persist in the new address."
"Brother Wu spends most of his time in seclusion on his farm, away from the impetuousness of Jinzhou barbecue rivers and lakes."
"My daughter persuaded her mother to open a chain store from time to time, but Sister Yin, who was valued by word of mouth, strongly refused."
"Brother Fang has a new idea about barbecue. The Zhong Yi brothers were sent by others. Thinking about new dishes is his favorite. "
"Shang Lao began to look forward to the New Year this year. When the students from Yangzhong come to meet him, his year will be complete. "
"Aaron is not good enough to meet the standards of the store. It is still unknown whether he can stand out tonight."
"Feng Chuanhui drank less wine and put down the glass. He is more like a man. "
The ordinary situation of ordinary people seems to have not changed, and something new seems to be brewing, but the tone of life is still the same as before. I like your home, Aunt Wang's, and Uncle Li's next door. The truth and simplicity that comes to your face make you feel particularly cordial and make you feel that life is like this. This kind of life is actually quite beautiful.
"Thank you for your hospitality" was screened at the end of the film, 1 episode 2, episode 3, episode 4, episode 5 and episode 6, and the whole film ended. But you know, the story is not over yet. The life of those barbecues is not too big. Ordinary life can be seen everywhere and continues to burn in the streets. On this summer night, you can safely and contentedly turn off the computer and go outside to blow the cool breeze.
Finally, may you never be lonely all your life.